[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 38 (Monday, February 27, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9691-9692]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1694]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 38 / Monday, February 27, 2006 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 9691]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-23282; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-210-AD; 
Amendment 39-14496; AD 2006-04-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200 and -300 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Boeing Model 757-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD 
requires installing clamps on certain end caps of the overhead 
distribution ducts, and doing other specified and related investigative 
actions as necessary. This AD results from finding that the end caps of 
the overhead distribution ducts for the air conditioning system were 
not bonded to the ducts with an adhesive. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct loosened end caps, which could change the air flow 
balance in the airplane. During a smoke event in the cargo or main 
electronics compartment, the incorrect balance of air flow could change 
the smoke clearance air capacity and result in smoke and toxic fumes 
penetrating the flight deck and main cabin.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 3, 2006.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of April 3, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207, for service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Mudrovich, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6477; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (AD) docket on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management 
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office 
(telephone (800) 647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif 
Building at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Boeing Model 
757-200 and -300 series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on December 13, 2005 (70 FR 73663). That NPRM proposed 
to require installing clamps on certain end caps of the overhead 
distribution ducts, and doing other specified and related investigative 
actions as necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comment received. The 
single commenter, Boeing, supports the NPRM.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comment received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 63 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This AD will affect about 37 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The actions will take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
between $20 and $40 per airplane, depending on airplane configuration. 
Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators 
is between $3,145 and $3,885, or between $85 and $105 per airplane, 
depending on airplane configuration.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a 
substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between 
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

[[Page 9692]]

See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory 
evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2006-04-14 Boeing: Amendment 39-14496. Docket No. FAA-2005-23282; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-210-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective April 3, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) Boeing Model 757-200 series airplanes, having certain 
variable numbers as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 757-21-0106, dated March 24, 2005.
    (2) Boeing Model 757-300 series airplanes, having certain 
variable numbers as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 757-21-0107, dated March 24, 2005.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from finding that the end caps of the 
overhead distribution ducts for the air conditioning system were not 
bonded to the ducts with an adhesive. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct loosened end caps, which could change the air 
flow balance in the airplane. During a smoke event in the cargo or 
main electronics compartment, the incorrect balance of air flow 
could change the smoke clearance air capacity and result in smoke 
and toxic fumes penetrating the flight deck and main cabin.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Service Bulletin References

    (f) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the following service bulletins, as 
applicable:
    (1) For Model 757-200 series airplanes: Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 757-21-0106, dated March 24, 2005; and
    (2) For Model 757-300 series airplanes: Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 757-21-0107, dated March 24, 2005.

Install Clamps

    (g) Within 12,000 flight hours or 36 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever is first: Install clamps on the end caps 
of the overhead distribution ducts of the air conditioning system at 
stations 864.88, 864.9, 866.6, and 875, as applicable, and before 
further flight do other specified and related investigative actions 
as applicable, by doing all of the applicable actions specified in 
the service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-
21-0106, dated March 24, 2005; or Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 757-21-0107, dated March 24, 2005; as applicable, to 
perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Boeing Commercial 
Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207, for a copy 
of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket 
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA).
    For information on the availability of this material at the 
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 15, 2006.
Michael Zielinski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-1694 Filed 2-24-06; 8:45 am]
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